jaxatta 's review for:

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

4.0

challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book had graphic descriptions of terrible events (rape, murder, animal cruelty and death). I was interested in the characters and continuation of the series but wish rape hadn't been used as a plot device multiple times. The book and story of kingsbridge could have been told without that and it would have made almost no difference. The characters here were more likeable than in book 0 of the series 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy

Moderate: Death of parent

This is a mature book with a frank view of history, graphic descriptions of violence, and uses rape to advance the plot multiple times. Animal abuse occurs at least twice in the book.